Hi Greg: Both activities are valuable in their own ways, and I encourage faculty to incorporate them into their classes where possible. I agree students can be inspired by these activities. Sometimes, for the first time, students will recognize they will soon be expected to perform something similar to what they are hearing about or seeing. That epiphany can be profound and extremly motivational. I believe unless someone is motivated from within, it's difficult to force it on them. That's why, when the motivaion is internalized and sincere, these activities are valuable and beneficial to students. Regards, Barry